OTTAWA - Romeo Dallaire has seen the worst the world has to offer; on Saturday he was part of a ritual that for him symbolizes its best.
The Liberal senator and retired general was one of 184 torch bearers to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of the nation's capital, leaving a message of peace and hope in its wake.
After witnessing the horrors of genocide in Rwanda 15 years ago, taking part in the torch relay had special significance for Dallaire.
"These opportunities give hope to the world," he said, still somewhat breathless after his brisk 300-metre jog up to the steps of Rideau Hall, the Governor General's residence.
"That even with the many imploding nations and other frictions, that we can still get together and compete and not beat up on each other -- in fact, be quite proud of each other."
For Canada, Dallaire said the torch relay "is a great sign of serenity and unity" in a country that has learned how to get along despite linguistic and ethnic tensions.
"We'd better remain an example in the world and not retrench back home," he added sternly.
Saturday was the 44th day of the relay, as the torch wends its way westward in time for February's official opening of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.
Carolyn Waldo, two-time gold medallist in synchronized swimming, picked up the torch in front of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's residence.
Harper's wife, Laureen, and daughter Rachel were on hand to cheer her on, decked out in Olympic scarves and the ubiquitous red mittens with white maple leaves on the palm.
"It was wonderful, we loved it," enthused Laureen Harper, adding that the family plans to attend the opening ceremonies of the Games.
Waldo said carrying the torch was "just as exciting, if not more exciting" than actually competing in the Olympic Games.
"There's nothing like celebration of human spirit like this . . . This is really what humanity is all about. It's just ordinary people celebrating the Olympic Games, celebrating unity and peace and harmony and it's amazing."
Scattered crowds cheered on the torch bearers all along the 54-kilometre route, waving tiny Canadian flags and tissue-paper replicas of flaming torches.
The relay was culminated Saturday evening with a big bash on Parliament Hill, where the torch festivities coincided with the annual lighting of almost 300,000 dazzling Christmas lights.
Harper and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell were among the dignitaries on hand.
"The lights we're setting the glow tonight ladies and gentlemen will reflect the glowing hearts of Canadians," Harper told a cheering crowd who braved chilly temperatures. "2010 is going to be a nation defining year for this great country Canada," he added.
The cross-Canada torch relay is energizing all Canadians behind the Games, Campbell said.
"That torch is a golden thread that pulls our country together and unites us behind our commitment to our athletes."
Saturday marked the second coming of the torch to the national capital.
It took a brief detour from its scheduled route in Montreal last Thursday to briefly light up Parliament, as the Canadian Olympic Committee lobbied politicians for more elite-athlete funding.
"Canada's Sweetheart," 1948 Olympic gold medal figure skater Barbara Ann Scott, carried the torch directly into the House of Commons.
